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Oregon State University Child Care Records, 1969-2006

By Trevor Sandgathe

Collection Overview

Title: Oregon State University Child Care Records, 1969-2006

Predominant Dates: 1980-2000

ID: RG 280

Primary Creator: Oregon State University. Office of the Dean of Students

Extent: 3.3 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The Oregon State University Child Care Records (RG 280) are arranged into four series: Series 1. Child Care Administration and Advocacy, 1969-2006; Series 2. Campus Day Care Center, 1980-1986; Series 3. Growing Oaks Child Development Center, 1990-2001; Series 4. OSU Child Care Center, 1988-2000.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Oregon State University Child Care Records (RG 280) are comprised of correspondence, reports, financial records, contracts, manuals, and ephemera documenting child care associated with Oregon State University from the 1970s to the early 2000s. The collection includes records from the OSU Child Care Advisory Committee and other related committees and task forces; needs assessment surveys and reports; fundraising documentation; and administrative records from the Campus Child Care Center, the Growing Oaks Child Development Center, and the OSU Child Care Center.

Scope and Content Notes

The Oregon State University Child Care Records (RG 280) are comprised of materials documenting child care associated with Oregon State University from the 1970s to the early 2000s. The collection records the activities of committees and other organizations charged with overseeing child care services; surveys and needs assessments; funding challenges and efforts; and press and promotion. The collection also includes documentation of the genesis and operation of the Campus Day Care Center, the Growing Oaks Child Development Center, and the OSU Child Care Center. Administrative materials include facilities development and maintenance records, financial records, and documentation of partnerships with various agencies and contractors including the Corvallis Community Children's Centers, Joyful Noise Child Care, Kinder-Care Learning Centers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. General Services Administration.

Many of the records present in this collection were generated through the operations of the Office of the Dean of Students and the activities of several committees including the OSU Child Care Advisory Board and the Growing Oaks Board of Directors. Of particular note is the extensive body of correspondence and documentation generated by Dr. Nancy Vanderpool, Assistant Dean of Students, in her role as a liaison to the OSU Child Care Advisory Committee and other organizations associated with child care at Oregon State University.

The collection addresses numerous issues surrounding child care including the impact of access to affordable child care on women as students and employees; the financial and logistical burden of child care on parents and guardians; the low salaries and difficult working conditions of child care providers; and the availability of public funds for support of child care facilities and programs. It is comprised of correspondence and memoranda, meeting minutes, reports, financial records, contracts, manuals, photographs, and ephemera.

Biographical / Historical Notes

In 1972, the Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Senate voted to fund a cooperative child care center for use by OSU students and staff. The Center began full time operation with a dedicated staff in 1974 and incorporated in 1975 as a private, nonprofit entity. The Center was supported using funds from OSU incidental fees, community funds, and income from child care tuition fees. The Center occupied several locations including on West Hills Road, NW Orchard Street, and Park Terrace Place and underwent several reorganizations as a result of funding changes including the complete, temporary defunding of the Center by Oregon State University in 1983.

In the early 1990s, Oregon State University partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States General Services Administration to build a day care center in the new EPA building on the OSU campus. The Growing Oaks Child Development Center (GOCDC) opened on SW 35th Street in 1991. The center was ultimately moved from the EPA site due to underattendance and is currently operated by the Corvallis Community Children's Centers.

The OSU Child Care Center was constructed in 1990-1991 as a permanent solution to the University's child care needs. The Center, located at the intersection of SW 11th Street and SW Adams Avenue, was in operation as of 2017 as Beaver Beginnings.



Author: Trevor Sandgathe

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 4 boxes, including 10 photographic negatives and 2 photographic prints

Statement on Access: This collection is open for research.

Related Materials:

Other collections with materials relating to child care on the Oregon State University campus include the Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Records (RG 011); Women's Center Records (RG 243); President's Commission on the Status of Women Records (RG 159); Finance and Administration Records (RG 131); and the OSU Memorabilia Collection (MSS MC).

Other child development and education materials can be found in the Human Development and Family Sciences Department Records (RG 085); College of Home Economics and Education Records (RG 141); Sharon E. Rosenkoetter Papers (MSS Rosenkoetter); Roberta Fraiser Anderson Papers (MSS AndersonR); Othniel R. Chambers Papers (MSS Chambers); Buena Maris Mockmore Papers (MSS Mockmore); and the Home Management House Photograph Collection (P 266).

Preferred Citation: Oregon State University Child Care Records (RG 280), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

Oregon State University. Office of the Dean of Students
Vanderpool, Nancy Marston

People, Places, and Topics

Campus-based child care--Oregon--Corvallis.
Child care services--Costs.
Child development.
Day care centers.
Kinder-Care Learning Centers, Inc.
Oregon State University. Child Care Advisory Committee
Oregon State University. President's Commission on the Status of Women
University History
Women--Education (Higher)--Oregon--Corvallis.

Forms of Material

Film negatives.
Photographic prints.


Box and Folder Listing